Eco · Pollution · published 2026-10-23 · via Yale Environment 360

Lahaina Wildfire Survivors Show Toxic Metal Exposure Months Later

A study of Lahaina residents found elevated levels of arsenic and other harmful metals in their bodies months after the 2023 wildfire. Higher exposure was tied to poorer lung function, according to the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study. Researchers have not yet determined how much of the contamination came from the fire and how much was already in the environment.

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The 2023 Maui blazes killed over 100 people, leveled thousands of homes, and caused billions in losses. Later, MauiWES surveyed 1,400 adults across the island six to 18 months afterward, testing urine for 24 metals. Compared with a national pre-fire health survey, participants showed about 2.2 times the arsenic, 2.3 times the barium, 3.8 times the manganese, and almost 40 times the antimony.

Earlier MauiWES work found reduced lung capacity in more than one-fifth of residents. The new metal findings were linked to weaker lung function, but researchers cannot yet separate fire-related contamination from what was already present. A $3.6 million federal grant will support follow-up work, including examination of past farming and industrial activity.

Count first para: The(1) 2023(2) Maui(3) blazes(4) killed(5) over(6) 100(7) people(8), leveled(9) thousands(10) of(11) homes(12), and(13) caused(14) billions(15) in(16) losses(17). Later(18), MauiWES(19) surveyed(20) 1,400(21) adults(22) across(23) the(24) island(25) six(26) to(27) 18(28) months(29) afterward(30), testing(31) urine(32) for(33) 24(34) metals(35). Compared(36) with(37) a(38) national(39) pre-fire(40) health(41) survey(42), participants(43) showed(44) about(45) 2.2(46) times(47) the(48) arsenic(49), 2.3(50) times(51) the(52) barium(53), 3.8(54) times(55) the(56) manganese(57), and(58) almost(59) 40(60) times(61) the(62) antimony(63). First 63.

Second: Earlier(1) MauiWES(2) work(3) found(4) reduced(5) lung(6)

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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Long After Maui Fire, Residents Found With High Levels of Toxic Metals in Their Bodies.” Browse more stories.